Pulp-molding machine



1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS mm; a; M R. 90 66126; Q, 23 mMAiToRNEYs my Eli Jule 17, 1924.

D. KELLEHER:*ET AL.

PULH MOLDING iMcHINE Filed June 6 June 17, 1924.

D KELLEHER ET AL PULP MOLDING MACHINE 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6 1919 v INVENTORS' ATTORNEYS lf etent ed June 17, 1924.

wNlTED STATES 1,497,915 PATENT OFFICE.

BAMBI KELLEHER, F KAMMS, AND ALBERT R. GOLDRICK, O'F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOES, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS. TO THE EAZELETT STORAGE BATTERY GOMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF GRID.

PULP-MOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed June 6,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, DANIEL KELLEHER and ALBERT R. GoLDRIoK, citizens of the United States, residing at Kamms and Cleveland, respectively, in the county of Quyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pulp-Molding Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an apparatus for forming directly from a fibrous pulp solution seamless articles of paper, particularly those in the nature of receptacles. A more specific object is to arrange a simple, efiective device for moving a mold for forming the article through a container of the fibrous pulp solution in such a manner that unusual results are accomplished because of certain peculiar motions given the container while in the solution and during which time suction is applied to draw the fibrous material to the mold. Still another object is to provide a time interval after the withdrawal of the mold from the solution during which continued application of the suction has a drying efiect, at the same time pressing the fiber tightly against the walls of the mold. The use of the apparatus shown herewith and forming the subject matter of the present application accomplishes most unexpected results in the formmg of such receptacles. This invention is hereinafter fully set out in the description which refers to the drawing illustrating an embodiment of our apparatus.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan of our apparatus Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing a section of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectional and elevation of the ap aratus; Fig. 4i is a detail of the mold an its immediately associated parts in the nature of an axial section; Fig. 5 is a detail of the mold in the nature of a horizontal section therethrough. v

Describing the apparatus shown by the use of reference characters, 1 indicates a tank or vat adapted to contain fibrous pulp solution. As shown the vat 1 is a comparatively long rectangular structure opening upwardly, whereby a mold may be moved downwardly into the vat and longitudinally along the same and then up- 1919. Serial No. 302,110.

wardly therefrom having traversed the length of the vat. This mold member 10 is shown as carried on a tube to which leads a suitable flexible tubular connection 30. through which suction vacuum is applied to the interior of the mold 10.

The tube or pipe 20 and mold 10 are supported on a block rotatably embracing the tube and having laterally projecting trunnions 41 on which are mounted rollers 42 adapted to ride on parallel cam rails 44. Above and below the block 40 are shown collars 4:5 rigid with the tube 20 whereby the vertical movement of this tube is governed by the block and cam rails, while permitting it to rotate freely as desired. The upper end of the tube 20 is provided with swivel connection 48 to which leads a rubber hose 30.

The longitudinal progress of the mold is accomplished by the use of the sprocket chain 50 running over sprocket wheels 52 on vertical shafts 54 suitably mounted adjacent to the ends. of the tank or vat 1. On the chain are loop members rotatably embracing a reduced portion of a pinion adapted to be splined to the tube 20. A rack indicated at is suitably carried above the vat and so positioned with relation to the chain that as the gear 65 comes opposite the rack it engages and meshes therewith, thus rotating the mold 10.

The operation of the mechanism so far described isas follows: The material in the tank is circulated by a method ordinarily used in paper making. Suitable powe being applied toone of'the shafts 54: the c ain is moved carrying the mold around with it and as the mold goes over the left end of the vat 1, the pinion 65 engages the rack 70 and starts the rotation of the mold. The rollers 42 on the block 40 come on the parallel rails between which the sides of the block slidably fit, and the sloping surfaces of these rails allow the mold to descend by gravity into the tank, which is the position indicated in solid lines in Fi 2. Thus the mold is turned as it enters t 0 solution by a downward movement, and continues to rotate on its own axis as it travels through the tank and until after it has been raised therefrom by the upwardly extending rtiorliit of the cams at the opposite end of the tan paper member 12 by reason During the operations above described a article is formed in the mold 10 by application of the suction thereto and a convenient construction of this mold for cooperating with the movement thereof in the vacuum tank, and for producing a receptacle or article, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Here a substantially shown as threaded at its upper end to the tube 20 which connects with the interior of the bell. Mounted within the bell is a pervious cup 12 which may be constructed of woven wire or like material surrounded by a sheet metal cup having openings. These are positioned, held central and prevented from distortion by the action of the vacuum by projections 13 extending inwardly from the bell and each preferably having a line point contact with the outer sides of the sheet metal cup. A bottom plate 14 is secured to the bell by means of overhanging flanges at 15, extending only part way around the circumference at the lower en of the bell, whereby the plate is removable by giving it a partial turn. A similar upwardlyturned lip on the lower edge of the pervious member 12, may be engaged by overlapping tongues 16, and made removable by provision of alternating tongues and cutaway portions. Thus the plate 14 is held to the hell by a bayonet'lock action and the mold 12 is held to the plate by a similar arrangement. Accordingly both these members are readily movable and separable.

We have found that the entering of the mold into the solution of fibrous material while turning it causes a layer of material to adhere to the inner wall of the mold of the suction surrounding this member 12, and that the layer thus formed is much more durable and of a tougher nature than where either of the movements of the combination applied to the bell are omitted. As the mold passes around on the opposite reach of the chain the plate 14 and paper article formed on the member 12 may be removed and a similar plate and mold membell-shaped member is for applying 'ber 12 inserted by hand; obviously any convenient number of molds may be mounted on this plate and the operation may be made continuous for the production of large num- ,a vacuum casing therefor arranged upon the conveyer with their openings disposed downwardly, means for rotatably supporting the casing upon the conveyer above the tank, means for rotating the casin including a rack disposed longitudinally 0% the tank and coacting with a gear mounted on an extension of the mold casing, and means for lowering and raisingthe mold into and out d of the tank in a vertical; direction during the rotation thereof.

2. A paper vessel making machine comprising a removable foraminous mold with the opening thereof disposed downwardly, a conveyer, means for supporting the mold on the conveyer including a vacuum casing and a roller support with rollers thereon, raising and lowering cams cooperating with the rollers to move the mold vertically, acontainer for fibrous pulp solution disposed beneath the conveyer whereby the mold may be moved longitudinally in the tank, means suction around the outside of said mold whereby the fibrous pulp in the solution within the container will be deposited on the mold and quick detachable means for maintaining the mold within the casing whereby the mold may be removed therefrom with the fibrous material defposited thereon.

In testimony whereof we hereunto afiix our signatures.

DANIEL KELLEHER. ALBERT R. GOLDRICK. 

